Water management options to secure food security at the country level

As one of the most populated and economically rapidly growing countries of the world, China is increasingly facing water shortage and food security challenges. China's population will increase from 1282 million in the year 2000 to 1470 million in 2030 and 1420 million in 2050. Undoubtedly the huge population base and rapidly improving living standard will require an acute increase in food demand. About 75% of grain and over 90% of cash crops in China are produced from irrigation area; therefore irrigation plays an important role in guaranteeing China's agricultural production, food security and economic and social stability. In this paper, Policy Dialogue Model (PODIUM) developed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) were used for China for current and future water and food supply and demand by years 2030 and 2050 under different virtual water trading scenarios. Once the goals, such as food production for an adequate per capita consumption have been set, the ways of reaching that goal through expanding irrigated area or rainfed area, increasing cropping intensity or importing more food can be explored. Likely scenarios can also be developed with respect to growth in population, changes in diets and developments in agriculture and water resources to ensure food security and sustainable water use.